The Secret We Carry

aroma of fresh coffee wafted through the kitchen yet Elena's thoughts seemed to be miles away.

ed seemed fragile like glass and utterly stagnant. How could she have missed it al

was an honest shot of Paul, herself, and Steven at the park. The smiles were real, the laughter

orld around her seemed to fade. The quiet hum of the refrigerator, the drip of the coffee pot, and even

d Paul hidde

or so long? The front door creaking o

eyes devoid of light. Faded signals of rage were curdled on his forehead as mu

en enduring far too much idle misery. "M

mug which Elena, at the moment, was gripping. S

from various parts of her body suggested e

ngible fabric as though they were much further a

ed he was about to say something which

hile pausing throughout the entire phrase.

t lips. Somewhere deep into Elena's eyes, Paul was alarmed to fi

gility lurked beneath the surface, as though it could be wielded to hurt something- or someone. "And you de

who were a part of his past that she had no idea existed. The thought of meet

like? What would sh

of a modest suburban home.Elena's gaze drifted around the house, grasping onto the idyllic suburban setting before finally resting on Paul's picture-

t feeling formed in her chest, "I didn't know he had c

ef second when she first pl

lly and she immediately felt herself return to a younger version. She was about to fill in many bla

es at Park view with them when I was in High school." "Elena?" Lily's quiet voice ripped her from her thoughts, forcing her to stream back her at

side in welcoming gesture while confirming 'Come In'.

broke into her reverie. It was Maria, mother of the twins and Paul's ex wife's mother. "Yes, thank you," Elena said as she sank into the couch and placed her

twinge of guilt that she'd never known this about Paul. What had she been thinking all this time? How Did she not see that? For th

e and more, even though she knew that they would never be able to take Teresa's place in their life. But the more she got to know them, the more she felt like one of

na's heart skipped a beat. She was staring at the girl, her love and hatr

in her larger ones. "I accept with honor," she whispered, her v

it felt like a warm blanket resting on top of you. She

she felt like she belonged. Life developed a new pattern. Elena, Paul

through the challenges and delights that accompany such a novel behavio

bond. But even with starting to get used to their new stream of a life, the past always

got a letter addressed

at yet stark. Within was a singular legal

red every secret."but the

tter sent a chill down her spine. Who was send

to Paul's past. She poured over old records, speaking with p

ppeared under mysterious facts that surrounded someone. There were whispers of foul play, but no solid event, It w

went to see Pa

Paul demanded, a s

"I don't know... one morning she was with

it go. Too many quest

night her p

ain station, come alon

ment, Elena agreed to c

er the pavement. A singular figure emerged through the fog

u?" Elena croaked,

mouth. The woman's face looked so much like hers;

ara managed to say, pained. "It was the o

e pavement. A black vehicle screeched to a stop. A g

Clara s

but it wa

ough her head – and the